The number 38 is a very special one today. Eight players have worn the number for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there is one Maple Leaf turning 38 this year and one other who passed it long ago.

Jason Spezza was born in 1983, so he’ll be turning 38 on June 21st, about six months from now, and sadly he’ll have to celebrate by having a five day stay in Winnipeg, after a long train ride over the Rockies from Vancouver to boot.

Joe Thornton is way past 38 at the ripe old age of 41, but has experienced the wonders of 38.

It took until 1994 for a player to don a blue & white 38. Chris Snell broke that barrier for his two game call up. After that it went to David Harlock, who wore it eight times over three seasons with the Leafs. The first full time 38 came from Yannick Tremblay, a 1995 sixth round pick of the Leafs. He wore #38 over 78 games across three seasons before he would be selected from the Leafs by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 1999 expansion draft.

For five years it would sit vacant until Brad Leeb donned the number for his only game as a Maple Leaf in 2004. Jay Rosehill would be next, most famous for stealing a car at a strip club and driving it to another strip club down the road.

The Greatest Story Ever Told

In 2013 Frazer MacLaren grabbed #38 and held onto it for a season and a half before leaving town. Colin Greening wore it for half a season in 2016 after joining the Leafs in the Dion Phaneuf to the Senators trade.

That takes us to young Rasmus Sandin, the current #38 for the Maple Leafs - assuming he makes the team for opening night vs the Montreal Canadiens.

Speaking of the Montreal Canadiens (This segue brought to you by Segway, when you need to segue, Segway!) today we at Pension Plan Puppets incorporated will be telling you all bout why we hate this team. Yes! Our series about our new and old division rivals continues today with the oldest rival of them all.

It’s going to be great.

With the Habs in our minds, these are all the players the Montreal Canadiens think aren’t good enough to play for their 24th place team:

In other site news there’s a new episode of Back to Excited out, which is fine I guess.  Whatever.

Back to Excited Episode 126: Leafs Lines + Pairings

And news from around the league:

On Tony DeAngelo, social media, and distractions

Tony Dee is gone from social media. For now. Until he thinks we all forget about his latest tantrum.

Canucks Cancel Practice After Potential COVID-19 Exposure
Penguins cancel training camp practice Saturday due to potential COVID-19 exposure.
Panthers first two games against Dallas Stars postponed

There’s going to be a lot of this, this season.

Opinion: Lightning made right call on not having fans

Well, yeah.

So, why were we focused on the number 38?

It’s my birthday! I’m 38 today and please, yes, I accept presents from anyone. I’m not shy.

So here’s to Sandin, Spezza, and me. All 38 in some way, shape, or form.

Enjoy my day everyone!

From The Branches